Hosts: Joseph Clark, Mingyu Park, and Nat Johnson

Atmospheric rivers are elongated bands of strong moisture transport that often bring extreme precipitation to extratropical regions. With the improved simulation of atmospheric rivers in state-of-the-art global climate models, there is a growing need to improve seasonal atmospheric river predictions and to enhance our understanding of extreme weather that accompanies their occurrence. In this project, we will examine how the latest seasonal-to-decadal prediction system at the NOAA GFDL SPEAR, simulates the relationship between atmospheric rivers and precipitation. We will consider the following questions: how much of the average and extreme precipitation in the extratropics is associated with atmospheric rivers? How well does SPEAR represent the relationship between atmospheric rivers and precipitation, compared to observations? Can tropical variability such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation or the Madden-Julian Oscillation contribute to the skillful seasonal prediction of atmospheric rivers? 

In this internship, the researcher will learn about methods for detecting atmospheric rivers and then apply these methods with observational and SPEAR model data. By investigating one or more of the questions raised above, the intern will gain experience forming and testing scientific hypotheses using novel data analysis tools with cutting edge global climate model simulations.